The Whistler Mountain Bike Park is proud to announce the introduction of a multi-faceted race program aimed at supporting mountain bike racing talent. The new program is in response to local athlete success at World Cup events, and the popularity of the Kokanee Phat and Phast Wednesday races, as well as the race events at Kokanee Crankworx.

The race program has two components. The first component is the Whistler Mountain Bike Park Race Team - consisting of a crew of Whistler-based mountain bikers who spend every second available in the bike park, as well as Whistler's amazing collection of cross country and all mountain trails, progressing their skills to dominate at regional downhill and all mountain races.

The second component is the Whistler Mountain Bike Park Ambassador Program - made up of a group of elite mountain bike athletes competing on the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Mountain Bike World Cup and other signature events around the globe.

Building on the success of British Columbian athletes at last year's UCI World Championships, these new programs will assist in the continued growth and development of some of BC's top riders.

"We are very excited and proud to be supporting mountain bike racing at all levels in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park," says Rob McSkimming, VP of Business Development for Whistler Blackcomb. "In addition to our Race Team and Ambassador Programs, we welcome other teams and riders looking for a world class training venue. With over 55 trails and three lifts, the Whistler Mountain Bike Park is the ideal location for the progression of competitive riding skills."

To assist in this goal, the Whistler Mountain Bike Park is supported by Freelap Canada, who will provide portable timing systems allowing racers to be timed on a virtually endless variety of trails and sections. More information on the programs and a list of all team members are featured on the Whistler Mountain Bike Park's website